Tampon napkin



June 5, 1962 Filed Jan. 27, 1960 S. PENKSA TAMPON NAPKIN INVENTOR.

STANLEY PfNK-SA;

United States Patent 3,037,506 TAMPON NAPKHN Stanley Penksa, RD. 2, Worcester, N.Y. Filed Jan. 27, 1960, Ser. No. 4,962 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-485) This invention relates to feminine sanitary protection, and specifically to improvements in protective devices for use during menstruation.

The use of tampons inserted in the vagina during menstrual periods is much to be preferred over the use of the more standard sanitary napkin which is suspended between the legs by a belt or other suitable means. The reasons for such preference are due to the discomfort afforded by the somewhat cumbersome and bulky napkin, and to the fact that such napkins can be conspicuous depending on the clothing worn. In spite of this preference however, the tampon is not functionally satisfactory under all circumstances. As a result, the tampon cannot generally be used during the initial menstrual period due to the danger of leakage caused by inadequate coverage or over saturation of the tampon. The tampon therefore, though popular when practical, cannot in its presently known form, he considered as adequate protection for use during the complete menstrual period.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a tampon which is modified to prevent leakage and enable satisfactory use under all conditions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tampon of the above class which readily adjusts to the needs and comfort of the wearer.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a tampon which is combined with a small napkin type pad retained against the vagina opening without external means of support.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a tampon which is exceedingly eifective in operation, and which lends itself to economical manufacturing procedures.

The invention consists of a cylindrical plug of absorbent cotton which is adapted for positioning well up in the vagina. An elastic cord, or a cord which is adjustable in length, extends from the lower end of the inserted plug and terminates with a small pad disposed normally and centrally with respect to the end of the cord. The cylindrical plug is retained in the vagina by means of the sphincter muscles which form a clamp like constriction over the entry thereto. The small pad is thus anchored to abut in a comfortable relation with the entrance to the vagina.

A full understanding of the details of the invention, together with further advantages, will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the tampon showing the attached pad secured by an elastic cord.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention showing a simple tie cord being utilized to join the two absorbent pads, and simultaneously adjust their respective relationship.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the napkin showing a method of cord attachment.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the device of my invention positioned for use.

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Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the numeral 10 represents a cylindrical plug of absorbent material such as cotton. An elastic cord 11 extends from one end of the plug and terminates at the centre portion of a small cotton pad 12 to which it is firmly secured by means of a crossed stitch 13. FIG. 2. shows another method of attachment between the plug or tampon 11 and the pad 12. In this embodiment, a double cord 14 extends from the end of the plug 11, and each end of the cord projects through spaced apart holes in the pad 12. The pad thus may be adjusted in relation to the plug 11 after the plug has been inserted in the vagina. The pad is then secured by tying a knot 15 in the end of the cord. Both cords 11 and 14 may be surfaced with a suitable fiuffed pile to prevent chafing. FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic cross section of the lower abdomen of the female. A bladder 16 has an orifice 17 disposed forwardly of a vagina opening 18. The vagina 19 is surrounded by sphincter muscles 20 which form an elastic constriction thereto. It will be noted by the positioning of the tampon of my invention that the small pad 12 is of such a size as to avoid coverage of the bladder orifice 17, thus adding further to the convenience of the device.

The outer surfaces of the pad 12 may be suitably waterproofed to provide further protection against contamination or saturation during urination.

The plug 11 is inserted well into the vagina as it standard practise with the generally accepted tampon. Such positioning is readily maintained by the natural contracted condition of the sphincter muscles 20. In the case of the elastic cord 11, the small pad 12 will comfortably locate in engagement over the vagina opening 18. The double cord 14 permits manual adjustment of the pad 12 for accurate and comfortable positioning.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of this invention will be fully apparent. However, since numerous modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the construction exactly to that shown and described, and accordingly, modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A sanitary tampon protection, comprising, in combination, a substantially cylindrical absorbent plug adapted for insertion into a vagina, an extensible elastic cord ex tending from one end of said plug, a small absorbent pad secured at its centre to the extended end of the elastic cord, said elastic cord being operative to cause said pad to springingly engage against the vagina opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 812,770 Pond Feb. 13, 1906 1,561,020 Pond NOV. 10, 1925 2,092,346 Arone Sept. 7, 1937 2,123,750 Schulz July 12, 1938 2,234,046 Freund Mar. 4, 1941 2,331,355 Strongson Oct. 12, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 242,517 Great Britain Nov. 12, 1925 754,481 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1956 

